David G. Lodge

It is with tremendous sadness that our family announces the passing of David Lodge, who left us on June 19, 2025, at the age of 86.  He was born to Fred and Hilda (Wood) Lodge on November 30, 1938 (he shared a birthday with his hero Winston Churchill), at Withington Hospital in Cheadle Hume, Greater Manchester, England.

David is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sherrie Casad-Lodge, as well as his beloved in-laws, Jerry and Linda Marvin, his son, Alan (Juliet) Lodge, his daughter, Cheryl (Cary) Shields and four grandchildren, Caroline (John) Travisano, Alexandria Lodge, Adria Shields and Alena Shields.  He is also survived by his siblings, Sylvia McDonagh, Carolyn Amos, Michael (Patricia) Minniear and Scott (Annie) Minniear, as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family.

David’s mother would marry an American WWII G.I.Tom Minniear, and she moved to the United States.  David was raised in England and after serving a two-year stint in the Royal Air Force in 1958 at Mt. Olympus in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus at their tech site as an Air Defense Operator, he emigrated to the U.S. as a young adult.  Dave arrived in Dayton, Ohio, on March 17, 1961, joining his mother as well as his sister, Sylvia, who had already moved to Ohio.  David felt very fortunate to be included in a 50 year Cyprus Reunion of the 7SUA/280 Signals Unit in 2014.  He was also able to march a week later in the RAF parade located at a station near Cosford, England.

Dave came to the country in 1961 in search of opportunities and immigration was common in England which also influenced his decision to cross the Atlantic Ocean (he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1968).  Dave began working for Amos Press a few weeks after his arrival in Sidney and worked there for 43 years in the area of advertising/sales for multiple publications.  He traveled extensively through the United States as well as Canada, attending conventions and stamp/coin shows.  He started with The Sidney Daily News as an Ad Counselor, initially working with businesses located near the downtown, which is where the company was located at the time.  After retiring in 2004, Dave continued to write two columns for Scott Stamp Monthly and then Linn’s Stamps News.  One column was entitled Amazing Stamp Stories and he penned 300 articles which were primarily illustrated by Richard Rockwell, grandson of famed painter, Norman Rockwell. 

Growing up in the William Temple Church of England, David joined the First Christian Church in Sidney where he held a number of positions including Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent as well as singing in the choir. He wrote, directed/produced and starred in many plays for the First Christian Church in the 1960’s-70’s and then joined the First United Methodist Church in 1988, where he continued to sing in the choir.  As a young student, he was one of the few pupils that was selected to perform with the Halle English Symphony Orchestra. 

A news buff, David was very interested in politics and wanted to become involved in his new community of Sidney, as he always felt that the town had been really good to him.   David was a member of City Council for the City of Sidney for 12 years from 1972 through 1984.  He served as at-large and fourth ward councilman, then also served as a member of the Compensation Committee for 11 years. 

David’s life has been filled with working with others from boyhood through manhood.  Growing up in the Boy Scouts while in England, he played the big drum with the unit’s band and eventually served as Assistant Scoutmaster of the 1st Moss Nook in the city of Manchester. The Boy Scout creed has always been his guide.  David personified the twelve characteristics of being a Scout:   Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean in Thought and Mind. He was a Scout Master for First Christian Church Troop #310 for ten years in the 1960s and would continue to appear as a guest speaker, teaching others about the history of scouting founded by Lord Baden-Powell.  One of his memories included seeing Queen Elizabeth during a Jubilee Jamboree and at this same event, he and his Rover Scouts assisted the Americans when their camp got washed out by heavy rains.  On his last trip to England, he was able to revisit Gilwell Park, the organization’s principle camp site and he loved to sing their anthem, ’Going Back to Gilwell.’  Growing up during WWII, other favorite songs were the ‘White Cliffs of Dover,’ and his Aunt Doris would sing, ‘Now is the Time to Say Goodbye.’ 

A soccer enthusiast who played during his prep school years, also while stationed with the Royal Air Force in Cyprus, and later with the Style AFC (Amateur Football Club) in England, David was surprised to discover that soccer was not an established or even familiar sport in Sidney.  To continue playing, he decided to start his own soccer club.  On October 28, 1998, City Manager, Mike Puckett, acknowledged David’s vital role in the establishment of Sidney’s soccer program and along with Mayor Miller, dedicated the Lodge Soccer Fields in his honor located in the Baumgardner Basin of Tawawa Park.  Known as ‘Mr. Soccer,’ David spoke at the ceremony, telling of his love of America and his gratefulness to this fine city for embracing his efforts to bring the little-known sport of his home country to the community.  Starting with only seven teenage boys at Parkwood elementary school, the program has grown to more than 1,100 children who now regularly participate in Shelby County Youth Soccer. A runner who was still playing until his late 50’s with the Sidney Soccer Club, David was a referee, coaching and volunteering for over 40 years.  An ardent fan of Manchester City and Manchester United, David could be found watching their games broadcast courtesy of the English Premier League. 

David was also known for his performances (particularly his portrayal of Mr. Scrooge) with the Sock & Buskin Community Theatre group which is where he would also meet Sherrie.  His life was always about entertaining which started after singing and dancing to ‘Me and My Shadow’ for a Boy Scout gang show.  An excellent dancer, he loved doing The Jitterbug and watching Lawrence Welk every week. He and Sherrie visited Stratford-Upon-Avon for their honeymoon and would attend Shakespeare productions, including at the Globe Theatre, whenever they could.  David would remain active by running, walking, hiking and biking throughout his life.  He enjoyed these activities with his wife and the two of them traveled frequently throughout their years together, visiting many National Parks to explore the trails.

David never forgot his English heritage and remodeled his basement in the form of an English pub which he called The Tatton Arms.  An active volunteer with the Shelby County Historical Society, he was featured in an immigration exhibit, ‘Coming to America,’ where he shared the story of his journey to the states.

David had a sweet tooth and loved his sister’s old fashioned cream pie which she used to make while working at the Spot Restaurant. He was an intelligent, adventurous, social and creative family man, gentle, kind and affectionate, quick with a compliment or a hug, always wanting to make others laugh.  His passing truly breaks the hearts of those who loved him.  

The family will receive friends at Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home on Thursday, July 3rd from 11:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. where a service will be held, with Reverend Phil Chilcote officiating, followed by interment at the Graceland Cemetery in Sidney.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Wilson Health Hospice or the Shelby County Youth Soccer program.  Condolences may be expressed at the funeral home’s website, cromesfh.com.